The New Zealand Film Commission congratulates the Beyond the Edge team as the feature film production begins shooting on Sunday at Aoraki, Mt. Cook.

Interest is already building in the film following the announcement last week that actors Chad Moffitt (pictured) and Sonam Sherpa have been cast as Sir Ed and Tensing Norgay.

The 3D feature film tells the story of the monumental 1953 ascent of Mt. Everest. It has been written and is being directed by Leanne Pooley (The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls, Shackleton's Captain) and is being produced by Matthew Metcalfe (Dean Spanley, Love Birds).

"I want to wish everyone working on Beyond the Edge all the best as they embark on this ambitious mountain shoot and head off to recapture one of this country's most important historical moments," says NZFC Chief Executive Graeme Mason.

Beyond the Edge is a General Film Corporation Film supported by the New Zealand Film Commission, NZ On Air's Platinum Fund, Digifilm, TVNZ, Rialto Distribution and the New Zealand Government's Screen Production Incentive Fund.